AJ Smith-Shawver DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Atlanta Braves startingpitcher AJ Smith-Shawver pitched well in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Pirates, going 5 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out seven, but he came away with a no-decision. This effort comes on the heels of an eight-inning, one-hit masterpiece in his previous start, and if he continues to pitch like this, it will be hard to remove the righty from the rotation once Spencer Strider (hamstring) returns. Through six starts this season, Smith-Shawver owns a 2.76 ERA (3.80 xFIP), 1.35 WHIP, and a 13.8 percent K-BB%. The 22-year-old's next start lines up with the 17-23 Nationals at home next Thursday, so it is an opportunity to keep rolling. The former seventh-round draft pick is still available in over half of Yahoo leagues for fantasy managers looking for pitching help with some rest-of-season upside.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver looked sharp in Monday's 4-0 win over the Reds. Smith-Shawver took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and finished the outing with eight innings pitched, one hit allowed, four walks allowed, and five strikeouts. The 22-year-old's first two starts of the season left something to be desired, but he has pitched better since and is now 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, a 9.00 K/9 rate, and a 4.33 BB/9 rate in five starts and 27 IP. Walks have still been an issue, but Smith-Shawver has shown that he is worth consideration in favorable matchups. His next scheduled start will be a great matchup at the Pirates.

X-rays came back negative on Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) after he was struck by a line drive during his start on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies. Before leaving after 5 1/3 innings at Coors Field on Tuesday, Smith-Shawver allowed two earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out five batters. Since the 22-year-old was able to avoid any fractures or breaks in his right arm, fantasy managers should expect him to be able to make his fifth start of the year next Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. At worst, the Braves might push Smith-Shawver back a few days next week, depending on how his arm is feeling. The former seventh-round selection in 2021 has gone 1-2 on the season so far with a 4.26 ERA (4.24 FIP) and 1.68 WHIP with 22 strikeouts and nine walks in his 19 innings.